Can leg pain be a symptom of kidney disease?

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It is possible that leg pain may be a symptom associated with kidney disease if a patient experiences muscle cramps in the lower limbs. Kidney disease can be a cause of peripheral neuropathy, which can also to pain in affected limbs. Additionally, patients, who are on dialysis, can have problems sleeping at night due to either aching legs or restless leg syndrome, states the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

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One of the symptoms of chronic kidney disease can be leg muscle cramps, notes WebMD. A muscle cramp can be painful and the cause is a muscle spasm. Leg cramps tend to occur in the calf area. Although this one symptom of chronic kidney disease, there are many others, including fatigue, edema of the ankles, nausea, loss of appetite, bad breath, breathing problems and itchy skin.

Many different medical conditions can cause peripheral neuropathy, including kidney disease, vitamin deficiencies, tumors, diabetes and infections, as stated by Mayo Clinic. Peripheral neuropathy can cause weakness, tingling and stab-like or sharp pain in the affected limb. Peripheral neuropathy occurs when there is peripheral nerve damage that cause these symptoms.

Patients who have failing kidneys may require dialysis treatments. When the kidneys fail, a patient can experience many different symptoms that can affect the skin, bones and nerves. Many of these patients can also have trouble sleeping due to leg cramps, achy legs or restless leg syndrome. Restless leg syndrome is a condition in which the legs move in an uncontrollable manner. Restless legs can cause an itching, throbbing or aching sensation.